33 choice cuts fom the Colorado punk scene circa 77-83, The Local Anesthetic chronicles the early days of the label by the same name. A healthy mix of classic punk, hardcore, new wave, goth and er... Allen Ginsberg?
Indeed, the infamous bearded bard spent his share of time in Boulder Colorado taking part in the Buddhist community then led by Trungpa Rinpoche. Ginsberg makes an appearance here on a Gluons single, ’Sue Your Parents/Birdbrain’. Birdbrain features a nice extended political monologue from the legendary Beat poet.
Aside from Ginsberg’s disembodied poetics, there’s the charmingly primitive first track, ’My Dad’s A Fucking Alcoholic’ and lots of classic HC in the vein of Flag and Circle Jerks etc. Every town of course had it’s Bauhaus knockoffs and they’re represented here alongside the requisite beefs about Ronnie Raygun, ’Nazis in My Neighborhood’ and Gregg Ginn-inspired riffage. Definitely of an era!
Essential listening? Maybe not for anyone but crusty old Denver punks, but an enjoyable compilation from end to end with good production values for the era.
